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AQ Water XLR or Yukon XLR - DAC to Preamp- sound comparisons

Hi all,

I have an opportunity to upgrade from my Yukon XLR that I just purchased to the AQ Water XLR interconnects that are connected to my Oppo 105D dac to my Marantz preamp. I find the Yukons are good but I think the Waters will provide that extra smoothness and detail in the bass, clarity and even more openess. The Yukons are a nice interconnect as well and I found at first there was a brightness and midrange harshness  that was not so pleasing to my ears and the bass was a bit more laid back but having them in my system for over a week they seem to be breaking in and the sound is not as harsh and it seems to have settled in and the sound is clear and refined. I also have an AQ Monsoon power cable hooked up to my preamp as well and perhaps that is helping as well with the presentation of the sound I am describing. I am using AQ Water XLRs from my preamp to power amp as well.

I want to know does anyone have any experience with either one of these interconnects hooked up from dac to preamp? What are your experiences in having either one of these cables hooked up from your dac to preamp? Has anyone tried the Yukons in their system and then went with the Waters or vice versa? Since my Marantz preamp is a warm sounding preamp would the Waters cause the sound to be overly warm cause I have them hooked up to my preamp and power amp and perhaps the Yukons provide that balance with the blend of highs and midrange forwardness to my Waters I have from my preamp to power amp? On a side note if it matters but I will be upgrading to the Blizzard power cable for my preamp very soon. 

I would like to keep this to Yukons and Waters as I have no intentions right now to move up the line for now or try other brands. Thanks in advance and appreciate your thoughts.

2007audioman
2007audioman
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,757 posts
 
DBS is alive and well. Vandersteen shares the patent w Low of Audioquest. Vandersteen and AQ build cables and amps with 128 v DBS….because it works.

I have Fire from phono to preamp and Water from Pre to amp in Casa Pacifica system.

https://systems.audiogon.com/users/tomic601

A mix of Eagle Eye, Niagara, and Wild Blue Yonder in my Reference system.

i think you will enjoy the Water, very musical, not HiFi. Let us know how it goes !,,,,

Jim
2007audioman OP
80 posts
 
Hi tomic601.

You have one awesome system and I’m sure you are in audio nirvana everytime you turn it on. As for the Water XLR’s, I have not received them yet but hopefully will in the next week or so. I currently am running Water XLR’s to my 350w per channel stereo power amp. I have noticed the improved sound going from King Cobras IC’s. Can you share when you say "musical" what the Waters bring to your very revealing system? Have you ever thought of moving up the line to Earth, Wind or Fire?. Thanks for your comment.

2007audioman
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
3,677 posts
 
2007audioman t my Audioquest water is xlr from dac to preamp, it’s very detail , lots of air, bass is superb , good tonal balance, black background in my system.Transient is excellent.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,757 posts
 
@2007audioman  in the system w Water a change to Fire in a 5 meter cable is not small $ and since it is a system, i would choose to spend that $ elsewhere ( for example in Casa Pacifica changing the Delos to the next better Lyra ). Attack or if you prefer invest in improving the weak link…

Sounds like you have an excellent dealer. I think that relationship is important.

best to you

Jim


2007audioman OP
80 posts
 
jayctoy- thanks for sharing your experience with the AQ Water XLR speaker cable. I am looking even more forward to getting this cable real soon. :-)

tomic601- Good point in terms of your preference in spending the funds elsewhere and improving the weaker link. Yes I have been with my dealer for quite a few years now and bought lots of audio equipment from them. They have always treated me with excellent customer service and fair pricing as well. They keep their customers happy for sure. 

2007audioman
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